Washington, D.C. — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick donated $5 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund earlier this year, becoming the first Trump cabinet official to make a publicly disclosed seven-figure federal political contribution while serving in office.
The donation, made April 1, went to the primary super PAC supporting House Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The contribution came weeks before Lutnick appeared in a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee regarding his past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to reports, Lutnick’s name appeared in hundreds of documents connected to Epstein, including records tied to a 2012 visit to Epstein’s private Caribbean island. During the May 6 interview, Lutnick reportedly described his interactions with Epstein as “meaningless and inconsequential.”
House Oversight Chair James Comer praised Lutnick’s cooperation, calling him “very transparent” during questioning. However, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna sharply criticized the testimony, accusing Lutnick of contradictions and misleading statements regarding the timeline of his relationship with Epstein.
The Commerce Department stated the donation was made in Lutnick’s personal capacity and complied with federal ethics rules. Political donations by cabinet officials are legal, though large contributions from sitting administration officials often draw additional scrutiny due to concerns over political influence and access.
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